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Climate Wise Building Challenge

Logo of ClimateWise Building Challenge project that contains the graphic of buildings and title of the project

The ClimateWise Building Challenge is a friendly York Region competition that challenges participants to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and energy consumption in buildings. The City of Markham participated and showed leadership in this competition with support from City staff who led our energy reductions.

The first year of the competition was held in 2021. Three (3) Markham buildings were selected to compete against themselves and other facilities in York Region. The three (3) buildings selected were 8100 Warden, Markham Village Library and Crosby Community Centre.

In 2022, the City of Markham’s entire building portfolio was entered in the challenge. 

The team is honoured to accept two (2) awards on behalf of the City.

We cannot wait to see what 2023 brings!

 

Top Ranked Municipal Buildings Awards: Flato Markham Theatre

In 2019, the City completed a study and energy audit to find low-cost energy saving opportunities at the Flato Markham Theatre. This was completed in preparation of replacing five (5) heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) units and the building automation system (BAS).

The findings and recommendations from the study were used in the design and planning documents. Using the study’s estimated savings, the City applied for incentives and developed a measurement and verification (M&V) plan.

In 2020/2021, many upgrades were completed:

  • Replaced all BAS hardware and software
  • Five (5) HVAC units were replaced with high-efficiency models including variable frequency drives (VFDs) and heat wheels
  • Improved controls and management
  • Replaced perimeter heating and added to the BAS
  • Re-commissioned the facility
  • Verified savings

The results speak for themselves:

  • Electricity savings: 92,000 kWh/year
  • Natural gas savings: 40,000 m3/year
  • Incentives received: $28,000

We would like to thank all staff involved with this project.

Project leads: Jason Vasilaki (Project Manager), Aaron Cheung (BAS Coordinator), Andrew Rosenfarb (Production Facility Manager)

Project support: Amanda Martin (Manager, Corporate Energy)

Team members and internal advisors: Gary Restoule, Darius Cheung

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Greenhouse Gas Effective Action Plan Award

We are on a journey to achieve Net-Zero Emissions by the year 2050!

To reach this goal, the City developed a strategy to increase efforts towards net-zero. The strategy involves:

  • Finding suitable facilities to participate in detailed engineering studies,
  • Completing studies and developing roadmaps to achieve net-zero emission by 2050 (or sooner),
  • Developing a project pipeline,
  • Submitting internal and external funding requests to move into design and implementation phase
  • Complete a deep energy & GHG retrofit as the City’s first proof of concept/demonstration pilot project,
  • Scale up pilot project implementations, and;
  • Formalize strategy, broaden roll-out, and accelerate net-zero transition.

Read more about our award winning strategy.

We would like to thank all staff involved with this project.

Project lead: Amanda Martin (Manager, Corporate Energy)

Project support: Joken Chui (Energy & GHG Analyst)

Team members and internal advisors: Graham Seaman, Mary Creighton, Mark Elsenaar, Renee England, Jason Tsien, Martin Barrow, Brian Stokes, Janice Carroll, Mike Hasted, Aaron Cheung, Lorne deHaas, Alison Yu, Jason Vasilaki, Imran Hyat, Jason Ramsaran, Michael Ryan, Adam Grant, Chris Nearing, Matthew Keay

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